At Optimal Fitness at Good Shepherd’s Health & Technology Center, we offer a free one-hour assessment/personal training session to all new fitness members. Part of the assessment involves asking individuals what their goals are for attending the fitness center. The number one answer and often the only answer is "weight loss."

Even if you have a desk job, this doesn’t mean your workout needs to wait until the end of the day at the gym.

Sitting all day can affect both your mental and physical health, even if you follow a regular exercise routine. Prolonged sedentary behavior puts people at greater risk of back pain, headaches, obesity, heart disease, kidney disease and even cancer.

Do you have tired feet? Do you work all day in uncomfortable shoes? Below are a few simple stretches that can be done at the end of the day, which may help address the tightness and stiffness associated with weary feet.

Kick off your shoes as soon as you get into the house and walk around for a few minutes. Sit down and do a few ankle and foot circles to prepare for stretching.

The new year seems to bring with it endless possibilities. You vow to begin and stick with an exercise plan, and you’re extremely motivated…for now. By the end of January, however, you’re probably ready to throw in the towel if you haven’t already. Sound familiar?

Many people repeat this scenario year after year, and it’s not because they don’t have good intentions. The problem is that we live in an on-demand society. When we don’t see improvement quickly, it’s difficult to stay motivated.

It’s official – autumn has arrived! And, I think most of us can agree that the changing leaves are beautiful on the trees but troublesome on the ground. Raking leaves can be hard work and an excellent form of exercise, but the task also poses risk of injury. If you’ll be raking fallen leaves, consider these important safety tips:

As with any exercise program, stretch gently before starting and cool down when finished.